Raising Smiles appeal success thanks to community support

Two new state-of-the-art intraoral digital scanners are now in place at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals’ (WHH) Orthodontics Department, thanks to the incredible support from our local communities, dedicated staff fundraisers and a generous donation from Warrington Hospital’s League of Friends.

The new handheld scanners provide a fast, comfortable and accurate digital impression of the teeth and gums, replacing the traditional thick, sticky moulding material known as ‘alginate’. Patients, especially children and those who may feel anxious about dental treatment, are already benefiting from a quicker and more pleasant experience.

Ian Edwards, Consultant Orthodontist at WHH, said: “These new scanners are already making a huge difference to our patients. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from younger patients who often find dental procedures daunting.

“The accuracy and speed of the scans not only reduce anxiety but also allow us to plan treatment more effectively, leading to better outcomes. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the appeal – every donation has helped transform the way we deliver orthodontic care.”

The Orthodontics Department now has access to two scanners – one at Halton and one at Warrington – allowing more patients across both sites to benefit from the improved technology. The department also played an active role in the campaign, with staff taking on personal and team fundraising challenges.

One of the scanners was generously funded by the League of Friends, whose continued support of patient-focused initiatives made a significant impact on the success of the appeal.

Helen Higginson, Head of Fundraising at WHH Charity, said: “We’re so pleased to see these fantastic new scanners now in use. The support from our community, our staff and the League of Friends has been incredible. This is a great example of what we can achieve when we all come together for our patients.”

If you would like to support future projects or make a donation, please visit the WHH Charity website or get in touch with the WHH Charity Team at whh.charity@nhs.net or call 01925 662666.